Senior Ophthalmology Support Worker

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board invites applications for an Ophthalmology Support role within a nursing team. The post involves direct and indirect patient care under supervision of a Registered Nurse, with potential administrative duties.

The role covers Carmarthenshire, mainly Glangwili General Hospital with some days at Amman Valley Hospital, requiring travel between sites. Welsh language ability is desirable; interviews on 17/11/2026.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of health and/or social care e.g., clinical observations.
• NVQ level 2/level 2 in health care related subject.
• Level 3 NVQ/Agored Cymru training in ophthalmology / health care or equivalent experience.
• Lifelong learning and safe delegation of care principles.
• GDPR/confidentiality and Welsh language considerations.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a nursing team in Ophthalmology delivering direct and indirect patient care.
• Assist with administrative/reception duties when required.
• Travel between Carmarthenshire sites (Glangwili General Hospital and Amman Valley Hospital) as part of the role.

Skills

Clinical observations

Lifelong learning

Care delegation

Confidentiality (GDPR)

Education

NVQ level 2 in health care related subject

Level 3 NVQ/Agored Cymru ophthalmology training

IT qualification

Tools

Ophthalmic equipment (visual fields, OCTs)

Job description

The post holder will work as part of a team of nursing staff within Ophthalmology and will be required to carry out a range of assigned tasks involving direct and non-direct care for the benefit of the patient, and will be in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

You may be required to undertake administrative / reception duties within this role.

This role covers the Carmarthenshire area, where care is delivered mainly from Glangwili General Hospital, with planned work carried out at Amman Valley Hospital in Ammanford three days a week. Due to constant service developments, there may be occasional work delivered from other sites, or support required on other sites where Ophthalmology is provided, and being able to travel between sites is an essential part of the role.

The post holder will be expected to follow local training upon starting the role, to enable them to work at the required level.

Main duties of the job

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 17/11/2026

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh isdesirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Have a good understanding of health and /or social care e.g., Clinical observations etc.
• NVQ level 2/level 2 qualification in a health care related subject.
• Level 3 NVQ/Agored Cymru training, in an ophthalmology / health care related subject appropriate to role, or equivalent experience such as covering clinics independently, independently performing diagnostic tests on a variety of Ophthalmology equipment, such as visual fields tests and OCTs. (Post holders with equivalent experience only must be willing to work towards obtaining a level 3 qualification appropriate to role)
• Recognises the need for lifelong learning.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role and scope of practice for Ophthalmic Support staff and understands the principles of safe delegation of care.
• Knowledge of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers in Wales and All Wales Delegation Guidelines (HEIW)
• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures within a healthcare setting (for example the principles of Safeguarding adults/children to keep patients within their care safe), and confidentiality (for example General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR
• Evidence of continuous professional development and further learning, e.g., level 4.
• IT Qualification.

Experience

• Ophthalmology related experience.
• Willingness to undertake additional essential training.
• Experience of working in hospital environment
• Experience working in an ophthalmic department/service

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£26,813 to £27,890 a yearper annum pro rata